Smaller Economies See Big Opportunities in Digital Trade Pact
Voice of America
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA - In a world replete with international economic and trade organizations — most of them best known by acronyms such as WTO, OECD, APEC, ITO, TPP and MERCOSUR — who needs one more?
Apparently Canada, which is eagerly seeking to join Chile, New Zealand and Singapore in a new grouping known as the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, or DEPA. The three DEPA signatories are still considering Canada's bid to join the partnership, which entered into force just three months ago, although Chile must still ratify its participation. Other countries interested in joining include Japan, South Korea and Britain. DEPA's appeal, according to analysts, lies in its narrow focus on digital issues and the fact that there is no huge economic power among its members to dominate discussions and drown out the smaller countries.FILE - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during Xi's visit in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this picture released by by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), June 21, 2019. A news program broadcasts file images of a rocket launch by North Korea, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, May 28, 2024. A rocket launched by North Korea to deploy the country's second spy satellite exploded shortly after liftoff on May 27, state media reported.
A man walks past election posters of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), as South Africa prepares for the May 29 general elections, in Soweto, May 24, 2024. African National Congress (ANC) supporters sing songs during the political party's final rally ahead of the upcoming election at FNB stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. May 25, 2024.